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American Cancer Society (ACS) The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community- based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service. It has state divisions and more than 3,400 local offices. Their site has extensive information on leaning about cancer, making treatment decisions, finding clinical trials, and coping. The ACS also maintains a Cancer Survivor Network with online chat rooms and message boards.
American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) supports research into the role of diet and nutrition in the prevention and treatment of cancer and educates the public about the results. It also offers a wide range of cancer prevention education programs. AICR’s offers a free information packet, called CancerResource which is available online. Their website also offers nutrition guidelines for cancer survivors, dietary and exercise tips, and a recipe corner. Visitors to the site can also send an email to an AICR registered dietitian about a personal nutrition and diet question.
The mission of the Angiogenesis Foundation is to improve global health by facilitating the development and application of angiogenesis-based medicine. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was created by physicians, scientists, and humanitarians who share a vision that healthcare in the 21st century will be revolutionized by medicines that control angiogenesis. Angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth) is the "common denominator" in society's most significant diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, blindness, arthritis, psoriasis, complications of AIDS, and more than 70 other conditions. By combining the effective use of knowledge, research, and education, the Angiogenesis Foundation takes a comprehensive and integrative approach towards helping society create and benefit from angiogenesis-based medicines. It works collaboratively with leaders in government, industry, universities, medicine, and patients and their support groups. It also serves as (1) a global information clearinghouse, (2) a research and education institute, and (3) a think tank for new drug development and therapy adoption. Its Cancer Patient Help Center educates patients about the role of angiogenesis in cancer and about anti-angiogenic medicines that are being developed for their cancer type. The Help Center can be contacted via a call center or e-mail. Their website also contains a primer on Understanding Angiogenesis and list of patient resources.
Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) The Association of Cancer Online Resources, Inc. (ACOR) is a non-profit organization, the heart of which is a large collection of cancer-related Internet mailing lists. ACOR develops and hosts state-of-the-art Internet-based knowledge systems that allow the public to find and use information relevant to their illness. ACOR has disease specific mailing lists, as well as mailing lists on such topics as side effects/survivorship, caregivers and family issues, clinical trials, end of life/hospice, and psychosocial and faith support.
The BC Cancer Agency provides a cancer care program for the people of British Columbia, including prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis and treatment services, support programs, community programs, research and education. It does this through: (1) four regional cancer centers in Vancouver, Vancouver Island (Victoria), the Southern Interior (Kelowna) and the Fraser Valley (Surrey); (2) a network of 16 chemotherapy clinics, in partnership with regional hospitals; and (3) physicians traveling to smaller towns to see patients and a network of 70 pharmacies across BC that dispense cancer treatment to bring care closer to home. Their website has extensive information for patients about the types of cancer, treatment, screening, symptom management, and unconventional therapies. The site also contains summaries of specific chemotherapy treatment protocols, and a drug database (see our Drug Information links page).
CancerBACUP is a cancer information service based in Europe. It has more than 4,500 pages of cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients and their caregivers. The site has over 1,000 cancer questions and answers online. CancerBACKUP has specialist cancer nurses that can provide “high-quality, up-to-date information, practical advice and support”.
Cancerpage was created for patients and their loved ones, as a complete cancer information and community resource to help at a time when you or your loved ones may be frightened or uncertain. Plain-English articles are reviewed by medical experts about the type of cancer that has touched your life or the life of someone you love. Find out what treatments seem to work best, alternative approaches to wellness and recovery, and read the stories of others going through their own journeys with cancer. Keep a journal of your diagnosis, treatment, medication, and feelings. Or join their chat rooms to learn from, and share with, others. All personal information, even e-mail addresses if you sign up for newsletters, is kept strictly confidential, and is neither sold nor distributed to anyone for any reason. You can post in chat rooms anonymously, and interactions or communications with nurses are treated as completely confidential as well.
Cancer Life Center provides a mechanism for you to ask board certified oncologists about the cancer affecting you or a loved one. Membership is required in one of three Care Choice Plans: A – 30 days, $100; B – 90 days, $200; C – 1 year, $300). You can ask questions about a specific disease, a diagnosis, treatment regimen, specific medicines, and prognosis. All questions and information are completely private and remain protected under Doctor/Patient Confidentiality.
Cancer-Pain.org has been developed by ACOR (Association of Cancer Online Resources) with input and advice from patients, caregivers and an Advisory Board of health care professionals dedicated to providing the most advanced cancer pain relief. Their aim is to help cancer patients receive the pain treatment they deserve. The site offers in-depth information on understanding cancer pain, cancer paint treatments, a care giver’s guide, and an “ask the experts” section.
CancerSource.com offers comprehensive cancer and treatment information, news and commentaries, and clinical trial information. It provides users with interactive community opportunities such as live chat events, message boards, mailing lists and support groups as well as several valuable online resources such as a cancer drug database, developed in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, and a Cancer Dictionary. Other resources include self-care guides, information on work and money issues, as well as separate sites for nurses and physicians.
CURE is a quarterly magazine that combines the science and humanity of cancer for those who have to deal with it on a daily basis. CURE provides scientific information in easy-to-understand language with equally understandable illustrations. Both the current issue and all back issues are online at this site. The print copy of Cure is available free of charge to cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.
e.Medicine comprises a large and current Clinical Knowledge Base available to physicians and health professionals. Nearly 10,000 physician authors and editors contribute to the eMedicine Clinical Knowledge Base, which contains articles on 7,000 diseases and disorders. The evidence-based content provides the latest practice guidelines in 62 medical specialties. eMedicine also has a consumer health site eMedicineHealth.com with more than 5500 pages of health content written by physicians for patients and consumers.
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) ESMO was established with the purposes of advancing the art, science and practice of medical oncology and disseminating knowledge in order to maintain a high common standard in medical practice for cancer patients. ESMO's aims are to: improve research in the field of medical oncology; promote education in medical oncology, in order to ensure a high standard for medical oncologists; and maintain liaison with other oncology associations, cancer leagues, universities and, where appropriate, the pharmaceutical industry. The website’s reference section has a set of minimum clinical recommendations for various cancers (including Ewing's Sarcoma of Bone, Osteosarcoma, and Soft Tissue Sarcoma). ESMO's Patient Corner has a list of links that may be helpful to patients in various European countries.
FindCancerExperts (FCE)is a referral source for patients, family members, and health care providers who desire an expert second opinion on a biopsy diagnosis of cancer. FCE has established an extensive network of nationally and internationally prominent pathologists from major university teaching hospitals and cancer centers. All of its consultants meet stringent credentialing and academic criteria. Their areas of expertise span all the sub specialty fields in diagnostic surgical pathology. To obtain a second opinion the patient or family member completes a medical information questionnaire, upon the submission of which the patient or family member is provided the names of pathology experts who specialize in diagnosing the tumor type indicated. The patient or family member then mails pathology slides to the pathology expert for the second opinion. The site adheres to strict standards of confidentiality and privacy. The site does not require subscription or membership to use its services.
Guide to Internet Resources for Cancer The aim of this site is to make it easier to find more specific cancer information quickly. This is achieved by providing a directory of some of the key cancer-related sites and pages. Links are sorted into categories (by disease-type, medical specialty, country etc.), and where possible annotation is provided to give the reader a brief description of each site/organization. In addition to links, the site presents basic information about cancer-related topics. The site also aims to draw the reader’s attention to issues about cancer-related information on the Internet, especially those relating to the quality of information. The site includes information that will be of interest to a spectrum of different users including patients and their relatives, caregivers, health professionals, basic scientists, and others interested in cancer.
International Union Against Cancer (UICC) Founded in 1933, the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) is an independent, international, non-governmental association of 291 member organizations in 87 countries. UICC's purpose is to promote awareness and responsibility for the growing global cancer burden; to take effective action to prevent and reduce cancer incidence and mortality; to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families, and to build the capacity of our members and partners to meet local cancer control needs. The UICC website provides access to a large number of resources for patients and medical professionals; for example, it lists links to an extensive set of publications dealing with cancer. Recognizing that the appropriate management of a patient with cancer is not possible without knowledge of the extent or stage of the cancer, UICC developed the TNM classification to maintain and disseminate a global clinically relevant set staging and prognostic factors classifications for cancer.
Lainie's Angels – Training Parent Advocates Lainie's Angels is a non-profit foundation started by the parents of Lainie Afendoulis, a twelve-year-old girl who recently passed away after a two-year battle with Ewing's Sarcoma. The main purpose of Lainie's Angels is to continue to train and place Parent Advocates in hospitals around the United States. Parent Advocates are parents or family members of terminally ill child cancer victims who make themselves available as compassionate, knowledgeable resources to other families going through the illness of a child. Lainie’s Angels, still in its formative years, has already made an impact through partnerships with the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago and for parents and families in the New York and New Jersey area.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and is the U.S. Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research and training. Within its mission statement, NCI is to coordinate "research projects conducted by universities, hospitals, research foundations, and businesses throughout this country and abroad through research grants and cooperative agreements.". The NCI website is one of the most comprehensive websites dealing with cancer. It includes information on treatments, prevention, genetics and causes, screening and testing for a wide variety if cancers. In its PDQ section, you can search for clinical trials by type of cancer, type of trial, and location of trial. With their advanced search feature one can add more trial criteria such as stage/subtype of cancer, hospital or institution, new trials (trials added in the current month), type of treatment, drug, phase of trial, sponsor of trial, and trial investigators.
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship is a patient-led advocacy organization working on behalf of people with all types of cancer and their families. The NCCS makes available the “Cancer Survival Toolbox”, which is a free, audio program that teaches skills that can help people with cancer meet the challenges of their illness. The Toolbox includes a Basic Skills set that covers six important topics: communicating, finding information, making decisions, solving problems, negotiating and standing up for your rights. In addition, the Toolbox includes additional programs that cover topics for older persons, finding ways to pay for care and caring for the caregiver.
OncoLink is sponsored by the Abramson Cancer Center of the with the mission to help cancer patients, families, health care professionals and the general public get accurate cancer-related information at no charge. At OncoLink you can get comprehensive information about specific types of cancer, updates on cancer treatments and news about research advances. OncoLink information is updated everyday and provides information at various levels, from introductory to in-depth. In its “Ask the Experts” section, you can send a question to one of their panel of medical experts online.
QuackWatch is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere. Founded by Dr. Stephen Barrett in 1969, it has developed a worldwide network of volunteers and expert advisors. Its activities include: investigating questionable claims; answering inquiries; distributing reliable publications; reporting illegal marketing; generating consumer-protection lawsuits; improving the quality of health information on the Internet; and attacking misleading advertising on the Internet. An important site for anyone considering alternative treatments; follow its link to: Cancer: Questionable Therapies.
See the NIH's Office of Rare Diseases entry in the Research webpage.
The Cancer Information Network This site, from The Cancer Information Network, is a noncommercial site founded to provide support and information to cancer patients and their caregivers. The Network is founded on the belief that proactive patients who educate themselves to take an active role in decisions regarding their therapy can affect their outcome in a positive way. The site includes “Cancer Patients Bill of Rights,” a monthly newsletter, and information and links on all the available treatment alternatives (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplant, biological therapy, photodynamic therapy, alternative therapies).
This web site focuses on misdiagnosis of more than 1200 diseases and 300 symptoms. Visitors to this site can research: (1) misdiagnosis in the Misdiagnosis Center, (2) symptoms in the Symptoms Center, (3) diseases in the Diseases Center, and (4) risk factors in the Risk Center. General information about misdiagnosis, medical mistakes and other related information is also available in the site’s Premium Articles section.
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